Description: To paraphrase an old saying, phacelia is the prettiest plant you've never heard of. Many of these hardy annuals are native to California and like many natives can handle a variety of conditions. They feature simple, broadly ovate to elliptic, toothed green leaves, which provide a lush backdrop to the cymes or panicles of flowers ranging in color from lavender to gentian blue, depending on the species. Plants reach a height of 2 to 3 feet tall, with individual flowers a full inch in diameter. Plants quickly produce flowers, starting in late spring, and continue flowering well into summer, with little or no care.

Cultivation: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. May need staking, especially when young. Hardy once established. Self sows.

Pests: Downy mildew, rust and leaf spot can be problems, but once established these native plants are pretty resistant to pests.

Availability: Various phacelia varieties become available in March and April in local nurseries, most often in 4-inch pots or gallon containers. Look for P. campanularia, P. grandiflora, P. sericea or the author's favorite, P. viscida, in the California natives or general annuals sections. Several phacelia varieties can be purchased as seeds from companies like Stokes or Thompson & Morgan. Plants in 4-inch pots can be found online at www.anniesannuals.com.

Comments: If you like vivid blue in your flowers, several phacelia species offer an easy way to add this color to your garden. For me, P. viscida has the truest and prettiest blue and offers the most interesting purple-speckled white centers to boot. P. grandiflora's flowers are larger and a lovely shade of lavender. All species attract bees and butterflies, not to mention many human admirers. Looks great in a woodland garden or in a sunny plot with other annuals.

Note: A reader kindly pointed out that Cal Flora (www.calflora.org) is a wonderful resource for everything about native plants, as well as providing information on which nonnative imports have been labeled as weeds for their tendency to be invasive, threatening local habitats.

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